Year: 2019

1) “Carpool Karaoke,” 10 p.m., CBS. You never know what kind of musician you’ll get at an English pub, but this exceeded all expectations: It was Sir Paul McCartney. That was one of the highlights, as James Corden – an English kid, born eight years after the Beatles broke up – joined him. They visited a Beatles statue (show here), McCartney’s childhood home and some places mentioned in “Penny Lane.” The result is nominated for five Emmys, including best variety special not done live. Read more…

1) “The Righteous Gemstones” debut, 10 p.m., HBO. Danny McBride co-created and starred in two shows — “Eastbound & Down” and “Vice Principals” — that had a ragged, working-bloke feel. Now he goes way upscale; we’re at a mega-church, full of glitz and gimmicks. John Goodman is the pastor and patriarch, at a loss since the death of his wife (Jennifer Nettles, via flashbacks). In the fairly entertaining opener, their sons (McBride and Adam Devine, shown here) and and daughter (Edi Patterson) get in huge trouble. Read more…

1) “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons,” 8-9:32 p.m., ABC. Jimmy Kimmel was 4 when TV comedy was transformed by “All in the Family”; other Norman Lear shows followed, including “The Jeffersons.” This season, Kimmel had a live special, using two old scripts and new actors — Woody Harrelson and Marisa Tomei as the Bunkers (shown here), Jamie Foxx and Wanda Sykes as the Jeffersons. It drew10 million viewers, reran … and now re-reruns, with a “20/20” follow-up at 9:32 and Kimmel at 10. Read more…

1) “Fresh Off the Boat,” 8:30 p.m., ABC. Here’s a rerun of an episode that put more focus on Constance Wu (shown here), who became a movie star in “Crazy Rich Asians” … then grumbled when “Boat” was renewed for next season. She plays the mom, now an author; as she looks forward to a book-store reading, her husband is excited about a book tour and buys a recreational vehicle. Read more…

1) “Baskets,” 10 p.m., FX. For four seasons, the life of Chip Baskets (Zach Galifianakis) has been a slow, downhill slide. Now comes a detour – a broadly funny trip to the state Capitol, to protest a bullet train that would buy the land his rodeo is on. Chip heads there with his twin Dale (also Galifianakis), and their mom. She’s played with subtle perfection by Louie Anderson (shown here), who’s already won an Emmy in the role. It’s a funny and warm episode; the descent resumes in next week’s series finale. Read more…